*Editor’s note: PNM has clarified that what was first reported as a downed power line is actually a downed communications line. This has been corrected in the article.
ALBUQUERQUE, N.M. (KRQE) – All lanes of I-40 have reopened after a downed communications line across I-40 caused slowdowns and stopped traffic in Albuquerque on Tuesday, October 17. Traffic on I-40 near Eubank and Juan Tabo was stopped in both directions starting before 11 a.m. and was still significantly backed up until around 3:30 p.m. All of the lanes reopened at around 3:30 p.m.
Heading east, traffic was backed up from Carlisle to Eubank. Heading west, traffic was backed up from Tijeras to Tramway. The New Mexico Department of Transportation says the Juan Tabo eastbound ramps will stay closed while repair work is done.
The Albuquerque Police Department says a semi-truck hit electrical equipment, causing the backup and a power outage. APD is investigating the crash.
PNM reported an outage in the area at 10:20 a.m. and gave an estimated power restoration time of 8:46 p.m. PNM says the affected area had the following borders: Marquette Avenue, Skyline Road, Burma Drive, and Eubank Boulevard and impacted roughly 1,000 customers.
